Photo by John Nagy Plenty of fishermen will find their way to Lake Erie or one of its tributaries the next couple of months to try to land a steelhead or two. Click photo for larger image. Fishing Notebook: Fish-In set for Saturday

Near-record high Lake Erie temperatures got steelhead fishing off to a slow start this fall, though cooler nights and rainfall are expected to kick up the action.

October is usually a good month for steelheading and November is even better, though fishermen were still targeting the silvery species in summer-like conditions last week.

As water temperatures go, 68 degrees is the key to bringing in fish from the lake, and precipitation sends them running into the tributaries, according to steelhead guide John Nagy, the author of "Steelhead Guide: Fly Fishing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead."

"Steelhead numbers have always been excellent, but runoff determines the kind of year we have," said Nagy of Brookline. "If we get a lot of rain and a winter with periods of snowmelt, fishing will be good. A dry fall and severe winter is a very bad scenario.

"One of the best years we've ever had was 1993, when it rained almost every day in September, October and November."

Low flow and warm lake shore temperatures have had anglers throwing spoons from the mouths of creeks, the marinas and the breaker walls in the early morning and evening.

For those who can handle crowds, it is a good strategy when the tributaries aren't fishing well, Nagy said. "It's a holdover from the salmon days, when people would throw little Cleos and K-O Wobblers. A lot of people still only throw spoons from the mouths, especially early in the season, because it's effective."

Fewer fly anglers cast streamers and wooly buggers around the mouths, although it can productive, said Nagy, especially from a float tube or a small boat, provided crowds don't make it too difficult.

Although Pennsylvania steelhead attract folks to Erie streams from September through early spring, they are a mixed-breed, mostly fall-run fish whose runs typically peak in November. "That's when the most number of fish for that particular year will be in the tribs. By that time, too, most of the silt and the leaves have been washed out of the tribs and they're running pretty clear," Nagy said. "Water temperatures are usually in the 40s, which is ideal for steelhead fishing."

The start of deer hunting season has traditionally signaled some of the best steelheading, said Nagy. "Most of your die-hards don't even get serious about it until then. December is a transition month between fall and winter. A mild one means snowmelt, which is good. But you're also dealing with slush and lake effect snow."

As a guide, Nagy said the most important decision he makes on any trip is which tributary to take his clients to, since streams have different run-off rates. "There are a lot of variables, but weather -- specifically runoff -- is number one," he said. "It determines the movement of the fish. The flow of the water and the clarity determine the equipment you'll use and your presentation."

Anglers who limit themselves to the same stream all the time and fish it the same way make a big mistake, he said, because there are times when it will be either high and muddy or low and clear. Feeling comfortable on several streams gives anglers options. Conneaut Creek, the largest Erie tributary, may take three to four days to come down. Elk, one to two days. Walnut, 24 hours, and some of the small east side "Mile" streams, as few as 12 hours, Nagy said. "Once that happens, streams can get low and clear pretty fast, so steelheaders won't have much time to fish prime conditions. It's a small window of opportunity.

"If you explore and do your homework, you'll be able to get onto the right water for conditions. Number one is knowing the runoff rates."

Besides his book, Nagy said good information, such as USGS stream gauges with real-time flow data, can be found on the Internet.

"It also pays to get to know locals," he said, and to develop a relationship with a tackle shop.

Tactics will vary with conditions, but, usually in October, when water is warm and steelhead are active, Nagy recommends fishing baitfish patterns, since steelhead are fresh out of the lake and have been feeding on emerald shiners and other minnows. Wooly buggers, streamers or leech patterns are effective on a stripping or twitching retrieve or on a traditional downstream swing.

Nagy also recommends dead-drifting egg patterns and bead head nymphs with indicators in the faster runs or the head of pools, until water temperatures drop below 40 degrees.

"Until then, fish flies actively and fish the faster runs, from the middle to the upper parts of the pools," he said. "When water gets colder, fish will drop down into the tail-outs in the slower runs."

For more information on Nagy's steelheading and his book, now in its third edition, visit groups.msn.com/JohnNagySteelheadGuide/ or contact him at 412-531-5819 or steelheadguide@hotmail.com.